2016 Kia Sportage Platinum - $45,990EGC

The dilemma

Chris is in the market for a medium-sized SUV. He's keen on a new Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester but can't quite quash the thought that he could get a near-new Audi Q5, BMW X3 or other prestige equivalent for similar money.

The budget

About $45,000

The shortlist

Prestige cars offer up a juicy carrot of driving and emotional appeal but in this budget range and scenario there are condition, warranty and other downsides to consider.

The sheer quality of today's best mainstreamers also casts a shadow over the prestige path. A good one will give you, say, eight tenths of the experience for half to two-thirds of the money. On a cost-for-return basis, they're unbeatable.

But we humans aren't always rational beasts, and those who really relish the finer aspects of the motoring experience may well be happy to make certain sacrifices to get it.

So we might delve deeper into this dilemma before making a call.

2011-on BMW X3, from $31,100*

This BMW doesn't have everything its way against the alternatives in this sphere of the used market. Volvo's XC60 has a more versatile cabin. Audi's Q5 and Range Rover's Evoque more entrancing design.

But its petrol and diesel engines are benchmarks of go and economy, its road manners are agile, poised and comfortable. The cabin's 40/20/40 split-fold back seat and handy boot (550 litres) mean it's still very functional. Tidy examples of all models (20i, 20d, 28i, 30d) can be had for this kind of money.

However, Chris will have to settle for less safety tech than he could get in the new domain, and less kit ? models built after April 2013 upped the ante with standard sat-nav and power tailgate across the range, but these will stretch the budget.

He'll be living without the safety net of a factory warranty or capped-price servicing, though BMW's Value Service program ? which fixes the price of some parts and inspections for older models ? adds some certainty.

However, the Sportage isn't close to being deficient in these respects and offers many advantages.

One is the peace of mind offered by its seven-year factory warranty and seven-year/105,000km capped-price servicing regime.

The topline Platinum models also have the latest safety tech (autonomous emergency braking, etc) and the kind of kit you'd need to get lucky with an optioned-up X3 to match (heated/cooled seats, panoramic roof, etc).

And all Sportages have plenty of good old-fashioned appeal with their distinctive looks, quality cabin ambience, gutsy diesel option and well-sorted road manners.

Subaru Forester, from $29,990

Like the Kia, this Subaru has no answer to the BMW's space and back-seat flexibility (it has a 60/40 split) but its boot is even smaller (422 litres).

Its diesel engine's low-rev response can be a bit lazy, and its warranty and capped-price servicing are both inferior to the Korean car's (three years and three years/75,000km respectively).

But it also has more of an off-road focus than your average light-duty SUV (Sportage and X3 included), making it impossible to dismiss if you actually have off-tarmac ambitions.

It's decent value and can be had with safety tech like active cruise control and autonomous emergency braking, plus ? in XT turbo-petrol models ? the kind of perky performance you just won't get in the Kia.

A recent upgrade has made its functional, high-quality cabin more accommodating, and added an extra sheen of refinement to an already agile, comfortable and predictable drive.

Drive recommends

The X3 is a cut above its competition here in some ways, most notably its extra space and cutting-edge drivetrains. But its winning margins aren't of the same scale or significance as its cost, ownership and equipment negatives, so the mainstreamers retain their upper hand.

Any buyer who intends to actually indulge in the off-tarmac activities that once underpinned the SUV market should go for the Subaru.

But the reality is more buyers want an SUV for the look, tall driving position and functionality rather than an intention to take the road less driven. They should choose the better buy and the better 'car', the Sportage.

* Values are estimates provided by Redbook based on an example averaging up to 20,000km per annum and in a well-maintained condition relevant to its age.

2016 Kia Sportage Platinum pricing and specifications

Drive Rating

6.5/10

Owner Rating

n/a

Price

$45,990EGC

Engine

2L4Cyl

Power

136kW

Torque

400Nm

Transmission

Sports Automatic

Fuel use

6.8 L/100kms

Pros

Strong value, spacious interior, comfortable and controlled ride.

Cons

Polarizing appearance, active safety aids not available as options, engine only adequate.